CONSERVATORY manufacturer Amdega and Sensor technology company Analox, have reached the final round of the "export oscars", a competition designed to recognise the achievements of British businesses exporting to Europe.

Darlington-based Amdega and Stokesley-based Analox are among the ten national finalists, all of whom will receive £3,000 worth of European air travel from British Midland.

Established in 1981, Analox specialises in equipment for monitoring breathing air in the diving industries.

It produces a range of air analysis systems for use in life critical situations, including a device for monitoring the state of breathing air in submarines.

Established in 1874, Amdega is the oldest and best known conservatory manufacturer in Britain.

However, it is only in recent years that the name of Amdega has been gaining recognition in Europe. The company now has a pan-European network of agents, a four-man design team and a staff of 12 in the UK to co-ordinate its growing European markets.

An annual budget of £250,000 has been dedicated to international marketing and the company has established distributor show sites in Denmark, Austria, Holland, Germany and Switzerland.

In the last 12-months, Amdega's exports have topped £4.25m, with 50 per cent of that figure attributable to European business.

Both companies have been invited to a glittering awards dinner to be held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London, on Thursday, November 30, where the overall winner will receive a cheque for £20,000 from Barclays.

Commenting on Amdega and Analox's selection, Peter Harvey, MD of corporate services at Barclays, said: "The ten companies we have selected as finalists represent the way forward for growing British businesses.

"Their success is tangible proof that we have skills and talent in abundance and it should be seen as an inspiration to any company considering a move beyond the domestic market."